July 11, 2016
Billionaire Gina Rinehart’s plans for an infant milk formula factory targeting the Chinese market may be on the backburner because of market conditions, but that hasn’t stopped a new player unveiling a similar project in Queensland this week.
Ms Rinehart’s Hope Dairies had planned to construct an infant formula plant in the Mary Valley using milk produced in dairy barns in the South Burnett.
That project was put on hold in August last year, with Hope Dairies announcing it would concentrate on producing Wagyu cattle on its South Burnett holdings instead.
However, on Monday, another infant formula dairy project – this time based near Toowoomba – was unveiled.
Construction on Queensland’s first infant milk formula factory will begin within months at the Wellcamp Business Park, adjacent to Wellcamp Airport near Toowoomba.
The Toowoomba Integrated Milk Project (TIMP) is a joint venture between Au Lait Australia and Nature One Dairy.
The two companies have joined forces to form Nature One Dairy Toowoomba, which will own and operate the multi-million-dollar facility.
Au Lait Australia spokesman Steve Laracy said it was an exciting and ambitious project that would be built in two stages and also incorporate a nearby dairy farm.
“The first stage is the $35 million infant formula manufacturing facility with a capacity of 30 million tins a year, which will start production from about April next year.
“This will be followed by ongoing development of the TIMP designed to produce not only infant formula but UHT milk, fresh milk, milk powder and other products for domestic and international markets.”
He said development plans and approvals for the balance of the milk factory would be finalised later this year.
“The long-term plan is to establish an American-style freestall dairy barn, which would provide about half of the milk supply to Nature One Toowoomba,” he said.
“A feasibility study on the detail of the farm will be finished in early 2017.”
Nature One Dairy CEO Mr Nick Dimopoulos said Nature One Dairy Toowoomba would further expand the international brand in China and the Asia-Pacific region using existing networks and supply agreements currently in negotiation.
He said Wellcamp Business Park was an ideal logistical location given its proximity to Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport and the Second Range Crossing.
Wellcamp developer John Wagner said he welcomed the facility at the business park.
“This is another game changer for the Toowoomba region and once Stage 2 is underway, it will create well in excess of 1000 jobs across the State and further establish Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport as a specialist hub for air and road freight.
“It is extremely important the State Government works with us to get direct access to the Second Range Crossing from Wellcamp Airport and the Wellcamp Business Park so more world-class industries are attracted to Queensland.”
Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Paul Antonio said he was delighted that a project of this nature had been proposed for the Toowoomba region.
“This initiative would further grow our strong industrial base, create jobs and showcase the opportunities that exist for agriculture, and particularly the dairy industry, as a result of our enhanced connectivity to the rest of the world.
“The project still needs to meet relevant planning and environmental requirements but a proposal like this signals a very exciting time for our region,” Cr Antonio said.
Larpro Pty Ltd, an affiliate of Au Lait Australia, will provide the project management and non-specialist design services for the project.
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